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Reckless Driver Shot By Police Faces Charges

June 13, 2014 6:24 AM

One of several parked cars damaged by a driver who allegedly tried to run over Chicago police officers responding to the scene. Police shot the driver after he accelerated towards officers and a crowd of bystanders. (Credit: CapturedNews)

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CHICAGO (STMW) – A Michigan man shot by a Chicago Police officer Tuesday night has been charged after he crashed his car into several vehicles in Wicker Park and accelerated the vehicle toward officers.

Michael Cote, 39, faces five felony counts of aggravated assault while operating a motor vehicle against a peace officer and five misdemeanor counts of failure to notify police after damaging an unattended vehicle, according to a statement from Chicago Police.

Cote, of the 1800 block of Hess Lake Drive in Newaygo, Mich., was stopped by Chicago Police about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of North Hoyne Avenue. Police in the Shakespeare District stopped Cote’s vehicle after it struck several park cars in the area, police said in a statement.

When the officers walked up to the vehicle, Cote put the car in reverse and accelerated, hitting a sign and several mailboxes, police said.

Cote then accelerated toward the officers, and “in fear of their lives,” one officer shot him, police said.

He suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in good condition, according to Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden.

Police had tried to subdue Cote with pepper spray but he covered his face with his shirt and refused to get out of the vehicle, Camden said.

He was also issued citations for operating a vehicle without insurance and driving the wrong way through a street or alley, police said.

The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the shooting.

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